DOJ subpoenas Los Angeles election staff

The U.S. Department of Justice issued grand jury subpoenas to employees of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's office. The documents were served last week, according to the county's confirmation to NPR on Thursday. This action marks an escalation in the federal government's effort to identify noncitizens on California voter rolls.

The subpoenas were. At least two employees received the orders with instructions to appear in court on November 4. A Justice Department spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment regarding the subpoenas. It remains unclear if the staff members are the direct targets of a criminal investigation.

The legal pressure has built over recent weeks. The DOJ sent letters to local election officials in California warning them of potential federal scrutiny and legal exposure. The letters stated that officials who refuse to cooperate risk becoming aiders and abettors to a federal crime if they tabulate ballots for people flagged as likely noncitizens.

The subpoenas arrived one day after U.S. District Judge David O. Carter rejected a DOJ request to set aside ballots for thousands of California voters. The federal government had asked the court to halt processing for individuals appearing on a list of 20,000 names deemed likely noncitizens. Judge Carter found no legal basis for the demand and questioned the reliability of the list.

The judge also expressed concern that the effort would disenfranchise eligible voters and create election chaos. In a hearing held on Tuesday, Carter told Justice Department officials that threats to state and county elected employees should cease immediately. He repeated this message in an order issued on Wednesday evening, stating that the threats must stop.

The DOJ is appealing the ruling to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan commented on the situation in a statement on Thursday. He described the DOJ's approach as confrontational and adversarial. Logan said his office is acting in accordance with state and federal law while taking steps to ensure employee safety and serve Los Angeles County voters.

The next scheduled event is the court appearance for the subpoenaed employees on November 4. The appeal to the 9th Circuit will also proceed from here.